JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JUNE 11, 2010 – Some of the top engineering and science technology students in the world join together to “rayce” under the Midwest sun this summer according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Missouri S&T’s entry, Solar Miner VII, will be trying to win back the famous Wilson Cup trophy during the 2010 American Solar Challenge Race.

The American Solar Challenge is a competition to design, build and race solar-powered cars in a cross-country event. The Rayce will begin in Tulsa on June 20 and travel 1,100 miles to Chicago where the race will end on June 27. Race officials have selected three Missouri communities as checkpoint locations during the week-long race including Neosho on June 20, Jefferson City on June 22 and Rolla on June 23, with the race restarting there on June 24.

To showcase the efforts of the race and celebrate science, engineering and technology, the Department of Natural Resources is hosting an Energy and Innovation Fair on the Capitol’s south lawn on June 22 from 1 to 6 p.m. The free event is open to the public and will provide displays and exhibits for viewing while awaiting the arrival of the cars and teams that will be checked in by race officials in front of the Capitol.

Race teams will be required to stay in the capital city for two hours before rolling down the highway towards their next stop in Rolla. While on location at the Capitol, visitors will be able to watch and ask questions of the various race teams while they raise their car’s solar panels to collect additional sun rays and complete their road checks. In addition to checking out the race teams, visitors attending the event can check out the latest technology Missouri businesses are using to build more energy-efficient products.

The event at the Capitol is sponsored by the Missouri departments of Agriculture, Economic Development, Elementary and Secondary Education, Labor and Industrial Relations, Natural Resources, Office of Administration and Transportation as well as the city of Jefferson, Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Missouri S&T University. The American Solar Challenge is hosted by the Innovators Educational Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to applied learning in the areas of science, engineering and technology.